Reaction apparatus and assembly of same



IIune 30, 1936. R. H. HAMMELL REACTION APPARATUS AND ASSEMBLY oF SAME Filed Jan. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y INVEN-r'on Een@ Hz/z/rzeii.

l ATTORNEY the structure.

Patented IJune 30, 193.6

`UNiTED STATES REACTION APPARATUS `AND ASSEMBLY 0F SAME Reeve H. Hammell, aklyn Manor, N. J., assigner to Houdry Process Corporation. Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application January 14, 1933, Serial No. 651,718

17 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for eiecting chemical reactions and lfor controlling reactiony temperatures. It is especially important in connection with the' use of -contact masses whether inert, reactive or possessing catalytic activity. It presents a practical solution of the structural features and mechanics of assembly of a converter having both inlet and outlet con, duits embedded in theV contact mass after the manner disclosed in the copending application of Eugene J. Houdry, Serial No. 611,362, led May 14, 1932.

One object of the invention is to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of a converter of the described type. Another object is to simplify Another object is to secure and to maintain huid-tightand vapor-tight joints. Still another object is to provideA for convenient insertion and removal of the contact mass. Still other objects will be apparent from the detailed description which follows.

The invention involves the assembly of all con# duits into a compact bundle which is inserted into the converter and removed therefrom as a unit. By preference the bundle depends from a detachable top or cover-for the converter and some or all of the conduits extend through this cover plate and are attached thereto in a iiuidtight manner. A lower. plate, intended to form a false bottom for the converter and to support the contact mass, is at the base of the bundle and may have the outlet pipes of the bundle mounted thereon in a iluid-tightmanner to discharge therethrough. Each plate provides guides for the conduits mounted on the other, and suitable means such as rods secure the plates together when the bundle is inserted or removed from the converter. After insertion, the plates are individually secured to the converter in va uid-tight manner and the rods are removed, the ports for the latter in the cover plate being utilized if desired to charge the converter at least partly with the contact mass. The lower plate provides discharge outlets for the contact mass into a chamber therebeneath In -the converter and web supports or partitions in this chamber arranged to prevent sagging or warping of the lower plate are arched or otherwise apertured for the withdrawal of the mass as when the conduit bundle is to be removed.

In order to illustrate the invention a concrete Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the converter case on the line I-I of Fig. `2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional case on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1: p

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view substantially on V,the line 3-3 of Fig. 5, showing the tube bundle and lower false bottom in assembled relation with the cover plate prior to insertion within the converter case: Fig. .4 is a. vertical central sectional view through the completely assembled converter subview of the stantiallyv on the line 4--4 of Figs. 2 and 5, the

contact mass being omitted; l

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sec'- tionalview showing the joint between the' cover and the case.

The converter case herein disclosed for the purpose of illustrating the invention is cylindrical in form and of a height in excess of its l diameter. Case 'I has a closed lower end 8 integral therewith, with a central opening or conduit 9 which may be sealed by a closure I0 having a threaded aperture for the attachment of an inlet or outlet pipe. Conduit AIl is of Sullicient size to serve as a manhole for purposes later to be described.' Just-above the tapered closed bottom 8, a ring II is welded or other- Wise secured to the inner periphery lof case 1 for the purposeA of supporting a lower plate or false'bottom I4 (Figs. 3 and 4), on which the contact mass will rest. To further support this plate, vertical webs I2 areprovided, symmetricallyl disposed in parallel relation on opposite sides of manhole conduit 9. Each of these webs is apertured, as by an arched opening I3, to give access from manhole conduit 8 to the entire area of bottom 8. A cover plate I5 (Figs.l 3-6) is arranged to close the top of case 'I in a fluidtight manner, as will be later described.

Two series cf apertured conduits IB and Il, respectively, are adapted to be assembled in the form of a conduit bundle for insertion as a unit into the converter case, the two series of conduits being uniformly arranged -in spaced parallel interprojecting disposition after the manner disclosed in the aforesaid copendingHoudry application, Serial No. 611,362, so as to be embedded in the contact mass, eventually to be inserted within the converter case l. By preference, the bundle is suspendedfrcm cover4 plate I5,`and includes the lower plate or false bottom Il. In the form shown. the series of conduits IB are secured in apertures therefor in cover plate I5, to depend therefrom, while conduits I1 porarily in parallel planes in properly spaced relation. Now starting from any convenient point o n the periphery of the two plates, the conduits of the two series are mounted and made fast as follows: Conduits I6, with guide sleeves I8 slid over the closed ends, have their open ends inserted in the apertures therefor in cover plate I5. The

closed end of the conduit is swung into perpendicular position with plate I4, and held in position while sleeve I 8 is spot welded or otherwise secured to plate I4. The conduit is then pulled upwardly through the aperture in cover I5, to

allow suicient space for expansion and contrae--l tion, and the neck of the conduit is welded in a fluid-tight manner to cover plate I5. On the other hand, the lower or open ends of conduits I1 are screwed into threaded apertures in lower plate I4; the conduits are lined upand held in perpendicular position, while positioning means, such as prongs I 9 for the closed end of the tubes,

are welded or otherwise secured to cover plate I5.'

The mounting of the conduits is continued progressively across the plates in such a manner that no spaces for conduits are 'left inaccessible. After all the conduits have been installed, a suitable number of rods 20 (Fig. 3) are inserted through sleeved apertures I5a and I4a, respectively, in plates I5 and I4, and nuts 2| are applied to the opposite ends of the rods. Four such rods are ordinarily sufficient, and their positions are indicatedat I5a in Fig. 5. These rods serve to maintain the assembly of the bundle, and to suspend lower plate I4 from cover plate I5, when the aforementioned temporary supports for these plates are withdrawn just prior to the insertion of the bundle within case 1.

'Ihe assembled bundle may now be raised by means of eye-bolts 22 (Fig. 5), and swung over the open end of case 1, whereupon it is carefully lowered therewithin until cover I5 rests upon the upper end of the case. The nuts 2| on the lower end of rods '22 are then loosened, or the rods are unscrewed if nuts 2I are* welded to the lower side of plate I4, until the plate rests upon ring I I and webs I2, a gasket 23 of asbestos or other suitable packing material having been inserted between ring II and plate I4. Plate I4 is then secured-to ring II in any suitable manner, as by clamps 24a (Fig. 4), which may be applied to studs 24 therefor projecting from the under face of plate I4. i

To effect a fluid-tight joint between cover plate I5 and the top of case 1, both may have apertured rings or flanges 25 and 26 welded thereto. A gasket 21 is applied between the case and cover, and may be retained in place by suitable interlocking means, such as an annular tongue and groove construction 28 (Figs. 4 and 6) in flanges 25 and 26. Bolts 29 extending through aligned apertures in the flanges 25 and 26 secure cover I5 in place. Care is taken, or suitable provision made, that plates I4 and I5 be not displaced relative to each other when rigidly secured in place in case 1. Rods 20 are now withdrawn through the sleeved openings I5a in cover plate I5, and

these openings, together with additional ports having short conduits 30 in cover plate I5 are used to charge case 1 above lower plate I4 with the contact mass, after which the charging conduits are capped or otherwise closed in a fluidtight manner.

If the converter is to be disassembled for inspection or repair, the procedure is to remove manhole cover I0 from manhole conduit 9, to give access to the lower face of bottom plate I4, from which extend a plurality of shortdischarge conduits 3| for the contact mass. The caps or closures on these conduits are removed, and the contact mass is taken out of the converter through manhole conduit 9. The arched openings or apertures I3 in webs I2 provide outlets for the portions of the chamber under plate I4 defined by webs I2. After the contact mass is removed, rods 20 are reinserted through sleeved openings |50, therefor in plate I5 and secured to or beneath lower plate I4, whereupon, after removal of clamps 24 and bolts 29, the conduit bundle (Fig. 3) may be hoisted out of case 1.

Ihe procedure of assembly of the'conduit bundle may be varied. For example, the tubes I6 may be screwed into threaded openings in cover plate I5, while conduits I8 are welded in the openings therefor in bottom plate I4, or both series of conduits may be screwed, welded, or otherwise secured in place. The guide and positioning means for the free ends of the tubes may be any of the forms disclosed in the aforesaid copending application, Serial No. 640,198, and may be applied to plates I4 and I5 before the mounting of the conduits. While the converter case is herein shown as mounted in a vertical position, it may be equally well mounted and operated in a horizontal position.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of assembling a catalytic converter having a detachable cover and false bottom with fiuid conduits embedded in the contact mass which comprises, mounting the conduits between the cover and the false bottom to form a bundle, inserting the bundle as a unit into the converter, securing the false bottom and the cover individually to the converter in a iiuid-tight manner and in a definite registering relation, and filling the spaces between said false bottom and said cover and around the conduits with the contact material.

2. The method of assembling a catalytic converter having an inner supporting plate and a detachable cover with fluid conduits embedded in the contact mass which comprises', suspending the plate from the cover, mounting the conduits between said plate and cover to form a bundle, inserting the bundle as a unit in the converter, securing the plate and the cover individually to the converter in a fluid-tight manner and in a definite relation, and filling the space between said plate and said cover with the contact material.

3. The method of assembling a catalytic converter having an inner supporting plate and a detachable'cover with uid conduits embedded in the contact mass whichA comprises, suspending the plate from the cover, mounting the conduits partly on said plate and partly on said cover to extend therebetween and to form a bundle, inserting the bundle as a unit in the converter, securing the plate and the cover individually to the converter in a duid-tight manner and 1n a, denite relation, and filling the space between the plate from the cover by removable rods ex-l 4said plate` and said cover with the contact material.

4. The method of assembling a' catalytic converter having an inner supporting plate and a detachable cover with fluid conduitsl embedded in the contact mass which comprises, suspending tending throughholes in the cover, mounting the conduits partlyy on said plate and partly on said cover to extend therebetween and to form a bundle, inserting the bundle as a unit into the converter, removing the rods, securing the plate and the cover individually to the converter in a fluidtight manner, and using the holes for the rods to feed the contact material into the space between the plate and the cover.

5. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a converter case openat one end and having an outlet in the opposite end, a support for a contact mass insertable and removable through the open end of said case, means on the interior of said case for maintaining said support adjacent to but'spaced from said outlet, apertured conduits extending from one side of said support to be embedded in the contact mass, and means on the other side of said support accessible through said outlet and the lower portion of said case for detachably securing said support in place.

6. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a converter case open at one end and having a central outlet in lits opposite end, an apertured plate insertable and removable through the open end of said case for supporting a contact mass, means within said case for supporting said plate both'peripherally and transversely and in spaced relation to said outlet. apertured conduitsl mounted in certain of the apertures of said plate and extending from one side thereof to be embedded in the contact mass, and means accessible through said outlet and the lower portion of said case for securing said-plate in place and for removing a contact mass supported by said plate.

'7. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a converter case open at one end and hav- .8. In apparatus for eiecting chemical reactions, a converter case open at one-end and havlng a central outlet in its opposite end, an apertured plate insertable and. removable through the open end of said case for supporting a .contact mass, means within said case for supporting said plate both peripherally andtransversely and in yspaced relation to said outlet comprising a flange on said case and vertical arched webs disposed on both sides of said central outlet, apertured conduits mounted in certain of the apertures `of said plateand extending from one side thereof to be embedded in the contact mass, and means Aaccessible through said outlet and said arched webs for securing said plate in place and for removing a contact mass supported by said plate.

9. In apparatus forff'effecting chemical reaci* plates, means supporting one ofV said plates at the bottom of said case, means securing the other plate to said case to form a cover therefor, apertured conduits mounted in the apertures of each i plate and extending toward the other plate with their free ends terminating near the latter, guide and positioning means on eachy plate for the iree ends of the conduits mounted on the other plate, and means in said plates for. filling the space bctween said plates and around said conduits with contact material andfor emptying such contact material. i

10. In apparatus for effecting .chemical reactions, a converter case having an open end and a tube bundle adapted to be lowered into said open end to complete the assembly of the converter,

' said bundle comprising upper and lower plates.

perforated conduits mounted between said plates, means for securing said upper and lowerA plates individually to said case to form an outer cover and a false bottom respectively for said case, and means for filling the space between said plates and around said conduits'with contact material after the tube bundle is in place and for removing such material prior to removal of said bundle from said case.

11. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a converter case having an open end and open end to complete the assembly of the converter, said bundle comprising upper and lower plates, perforated conduits mounted between said plates, means for securing said upper and lower plates individually to said case to form an outer cover and a false bottom respectively for Asaid case, and means for filling the space between,

said plates and around said conduits with contact material after the tube bundle is in place and for removing such material prior to removal of `said bundle from said case. l'

12. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a converter case having an open end and a tube bundle adapted to be lowered into said open end to complete the .assembly of the converter, said bundle comprising upper and lower plates,

perforated conduits mounted between said plates,

means maintaining said tube bundle in assembled relation while it is being inserted in said case, means in said case permitting the detachment of said last named means, means for securing said upper and lower plates individually to said case to form an outer cover and a false bottom respectively for said case. and means for lling the space between said plates and around said conduits with contact material after the tube bundle is in place and for removing such material prior to removal of said bundle from said case.

13. In apparatus for effecting chemical reactions, a converter case having an open end and Aa tube bundle adapted tov be lowered into said v a tube bundle adapted to be lowered'into said open end to complete the assembly of the converter, said bundle comprising upper and lower plates, perforated conduits mounted between said plates, removable members interconnecting said plates to maintain said tube bundle in assembled relation while it is being inserted in said case, means in said case permitting the detachment of said members, means for independently securing said plates to said case, the upper plate to form an outer cover for the case and the lower plate to form a false bottom within the casemeans for filling the space between said plates with contact =material'-'-"'througlr" said upper plate, and

means for removing such contact material through said lower plate and through the bottom or said case. i

14. A tube bundle for insertion in a converter case comprising upper and lower apertured plates, means suspending said lower plate from said upper plate, and conduits mounted in the apertures of each of said plates to form independent series, the conduit of yeach series extending toward the other plate in uniformly spaced relation. said means being withdrawable through said upper plate after the bundle is lnserted'in the case.

15. A tube bundle for insertion in a converter case comprising upper and lower apertured plates, rods suspending said lower plate from and in spaced relation to said upper plate, two independent series of apertured conduits, each series mounted in the apertures of one of said plates to extend toward the other of said plates, said upper plate having ports accommodating said rods and through which the latter are withdrawn after the. bundle is inserted in the case.

16. A tube bundle for insertion in a converter case comprising upper and lower apertured plates,

rods suspending said lower plate from and in spaced relation to said upper plate, a series oi' conduits mounted in the apertures ofk each of said lplates to extend toward the other oi said'plates.

said rods being withdrawn after said bundle is inserted in the case, and ports for charging and emptying the spaces between said plates and around said conduits, said ports being in said upper and lower plates respectively, the said ports :in said ,upper plate serving for the insertion and out of contact with the other of vsaid plates, guide means on each plate for-the 'free ends of the conduits mounted on the other of said plates, and removable means for suspending said lower plate from said upper plate and for retaining the bundle in assembled relation.

REEVEH.HAMMIEIL. 

